Jobs may be lost in the energy sector. Consumers show less interest in solar panels, heat pumps and insulation. This reduced demand means that installers have less work to do. However, that also entails risks.
Due to the reduced demand for insulation, heat pumps and solar panels, installers may choose to lay off staff. In principle, a logical choice, because if there is no work and no money coming in, then that is the solution. There is also a risk to this, because if demand rises again, the staff may no longer be available, writes NOS based on statements from the Dutch Sustainable Energy Association (NVDE).
Dutch Sustainable Energy Association
The trade association surveyed its members and 96 companies responded. Ultimately, one in ten expects to go bankrupt this or next year. 40 percent think they will have to lay off staff next year now that buildings will become less sustainable. The demand for solar panels has fallen by 53 percent in the first 9 months of 2024 compared to the first 9 months of 2023. For heat pumps this is 44 percent, floor insulation 50 percent and cavity wall insulation even shows a decline of 70 percent.
Making homes more sustainable is an important step in the climate goals that our country has set. We will most likely not meet the 2030 deadline: there is less than a 10 percent chance that we will succeed. If there is more demand for these sustainability solutions in the coming years, it may not be easy to get the dismissed staff back. Due to all the adjustments in government rules and subsidies, these people would probably prefer to choose a sector that is more secure.
Bats throw a spanner in the works
The reason why there is less demand is partly due to the netting scheme that will disappear as of 2027 and the lack of clarity and doubt about the feed-in compensation. Companies think that not having a standard for heat pumps does not help, especially in combination with the reduction in the gas tax. This means that people are more likely to opt for a central heating boiler. The reduction in the subsidy on heat pumps also makes this solution less attractive than before. There is a completely different reason for the large decline in demand for cavity wall insulation: the bat. There must be no bats in the wall before it is insulated and that research takes a lot of time.
The NVDE is thinking of solutions to turn the tide. It would like to see the energy tax reduction be used to help insulate the homes of families who receive money from the Energy Emergency Fund. That would ultimately yield 15,000 per house. There should also be more local initiatives for energy saving and generation.
‘Stimulus policy needed’
There should also be an incentive policy lasting several years, so that people can be more certain about the choices they make when it comes to making their homes more sustainable. Checking cavity walls for bats should also be done differently, namely with a DNA test. Finally, it wants people to be more encouraged to use their own solar power.
Read more about green energy and subscribe to our newsletter.
Source: www.bright.nl
